Genetically Modified

I was asked to write an article for the Dietitians Association of Australia’s Vegetarian Interest Group. The topic was food sustainability for health professionals.

As consumers become increasingly concerned about the link between dietary consumption and environmental impact, it is important that their trusted health professionals can provide them with accurate, up-to-date information in this area. This is a condensed version of the article aimed at Australian Dietitians, though it is helpful for consumers to have access to the information their health professional should be sharing with them. The original version can be seen here.
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Its been more than 15 years in the making, and now it has hit our shores. AquAdvantage salmon is the first animal genetically modified (GM) for food purposes. It is prized for its ability to grow twice as fast when compared to other farmed salmon, reducing the rearing period to 18 months from 3 years. The FDA has given its stamp of approval but activist groups still aren’t convinced. What questions do we need to be asking? Or, should we just be accepting of the fact that GM animals may be the way of the future?
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Thing feel like they are heating up around here, with the Washington initiative I-522 about to be put to the voters and the UBCM passing the resolution asking for BC to be a GE (genetically engineered) free zone. Here in Victoria we are planning something very exciting. On November 18th, Dr. Thierry Vrain, a retired soil biologist and genetic engineer who has retired from a 30-year career with Agriculture Canada, is going to tell us the truth about GMO technology.
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This season was my first blackberry season. Growing up in northern BC we had salmonberries, blueberries and huckleberries… but nothing that grows as feverishly as wild blackberries. After my fair share of thorns and bloody arms I had enough berries to make jam… but what sugar to use? Honey had taken main stage on my shelves but that wouldn’t do for jam. Are there environmental and ethical factors to consider when buying sugar?
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The controversy surrounding Genetically Modified (GM) foods isn’t going anywhere. Activist groups have made their voice heard; we have seen protests around the globe, the burning of GM crops in Hungary, and murmurs of the same happening right next door in Washington. Biotech companies such as Monsanto are also making headlines. Although they have backed out of Europe due to lack of support for GM crops from farmers and citizens, they continue to stipulate that the public must embrace GM foods for our own food security and for the starving developing nations.
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So you have made the choice to give up milk. Mom says no, friends call you a hippie, the dairy industry is smacking their 3 recommended serves in your face. But you don’t care, you’re going to do it. Whether it be to ward off suspected intolerances, a cows milk allergy, to lower your carbon footprint or for personal ethical reasons, finding a suitable alternative can be tricky. Each book you read, every website you come across and every person you talk to will probably tell you something different. I just want to lay out the basics as well as expunge any myths. You can decide for yourself which milk alternative is the best one for you.
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Living in Australia for the last 9 years I was relatively sheltered to the dangers of industrial farming. That is until I started following the works of authors such as Michael Pollan, an American author, journalist and activist. Being back in North America there is no doubt that genetically modified (GM) foods, which coincides with industrial farming, is a hot topic at the moment. More and more people are starting to ask questions about the health and environmental safety of these foods. In Canada and America GM labelling of foods is not required. Regardless of how we feel about GM foods, how can we as consumers possibly make an informed decision on a topic that potentially affects our health if we don’t have all the information? And do we also have the responsibility of ensuring the health of our environment for generations to come?
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Recent reports state that Australians have reduced their sugar intake by 30% in recent years. Good for you I hear you say! But at what cost? We haven’t lost our sweet tooth, instead we have replaced sugar with artificial sweeteners which carry no shortage of claims on their ill effects — ranging from Alzheimer’s, cancer, seizures, depression and blindness to name a few. What no one ever mentions is the cost to the environment. Maybe what we need to focus on is not what these sweeteners may be costing our health, but what they are costing our environment.
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Hi! I am Rachel and I am a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about plant-based nutrition that is not only healthy for us, but also for the planet. I want to share with you my favourite plant-based recipes, nutrition information that is always backed up by evidence, and tips on green sustainable eating. Check out my site and let me know what you think! Read more about The Conscious Dietitian